WELLS, MAINE ( June 7, 2018) – The Tramuto Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 2001 by Ogunquit resident Donato Tramuto, has granted a four-year scholarship to an outstanding and deserving Wells High School student to help further her education.

Allison Brann, a member of the Wells High School Class of 2018, received the Tramuto Foundation Scholarship award at the Scholarship Awards Night on June 7th.

The Tramuto Foundation provides grants to young Maine residents each year who have succeeded in the face of adversity to achieve personal excellence. Students are chosen based on their ability, efforts and the determination they have shown to contend with or overcome the challenges they have faced. Scholarship, community service, school activities, character, leadership qualities and demonstrated financial need are also considered.

Tramuto was in Washington, D.C. where he had attended the 50th Anniversary Memorial Mass for Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and was unable to present the scholarship to Brann. “While I was unable to be present at this important event for the graduating seniors of Wells High School, I was very impressed with the quality of every student who applied for this scholarship. However, Allison is clearly someone who has endured a lifetime of ‘bulldozer moments’ — those physically painful challenges she confronts on a daily basis and then transforms into a passion to succeed,” Tramuto said, referring to the book he published in 2016, Life’s Bulldozer Moments, How Adversity Can Lead to Success in Life and Business. ”Allison is a uniquely worthy recipient of the Tramuto Foundation scholarship.”

In Tramuto’s absence, Tramuto Foundation Board member Earle Rugg of Ogunquit presented the award, noting that Brann, who has cystic fibrosis, has benefitted from important recent advances in medical science through new treatments that Rugg’s brother, Art, helped develop at Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

Brann will attend Boston College in the fall, where she will major in Communications. As a student, Brann has demonstrated her passion for communications as a member of the Newspaper Club. She is also a 4-year member of the Student Council and the Interact Club and has served as Vice President of the Philosophy and Real Fact Clubs. She is a member of the National Honor Society and a three-time Literary Achievement Awards winner.

Despite health challenges that made it difficult at times for her to attend classes, Brann has excelled academically and will graduate at the top of her class. She is described as humble, kind and generous. In addition to her work in school, activities and part-time jobs, Brann has made it a point to give back to her community. She has volunteered for Soup’s On and the Red Cross where she helped organize a student-run blood drive among other volunteer pursuits.

Brann is the daughter of Dan and Patricia Brann of Wells.